Hope’s Historic Century in Vain as Santner’s Blitz Seals NZ Win in Napier

When Shai Hope walked out to bat on November 19, 2025, in Napier, New Zealand, he wasn’t just chasing runs—he was chasing history. And he delivered. In just 69 balls, the 32-year-old West Indies captain smashed 109 not out, with 13 fours and four towering sixes, becoming the first batter in international cricket to score centuries against all 12 Test-playing nations. He also became the first wicketkeeper in 2025 to reach 50 sixes in international cricket. But here’s the twist: his masterclass went to waste. Mitchell Santner, batting at number seven for New Zealand, turned the match on its head with a blistering 34 off just 15 balls, including three fours and two sixes, to steal victory with five wickets in hand. The Napier crowd, soaked in rain earlier that day, erupted—not for Hope’s brilliance, but for Santner’s audacity.

A Century That Rewrote the Record Books

Hope’s innings wasn’t just fast—it was statistically seismic. He reached 6,097 ODI runs in just 142 innings, becoming the second-fastest West Indian to cross 6,000 runs after Viv Richards. His 19th ODI century tied him with Brian Lara for most by a West Indian, but he did it in 48 fewer matches. And the milestone against New Zealand? It was the 12th different nation he’d scored a century against, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar (11) and Rahul Dravid (10 in Tests). He now holds the unique crown: first batter ever to hit a century against every Test nation. Even Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma haven’t done that.

His strike rate of 158.0 in this innings? Typical Hope. He’s now scored 19 ODI hundreds and 30 fifties with a career average of 50.80—unheard of for a keeper-batsman. And he’s been not out 22 times. No other wicketkeeper in history has combined consistency, power, and longevity like this. He broke Adam Gilchrist’s and Jos Buttler’s record of 41 sixes as a keeper in international cricket, hitting his 50th six in this very match.

The Rain, the Collapse, and the Miracle

The match began under gray skies. Rain delayed the start, reducing the game to 34 overs per side. West Indies, after losing five wickets for just 86 runs, were reeling at 132/6. Enter Hope. He steadied the ship, then exploded. His partnership with Alzarri Joseph (27 off 19) added 81 runs in under 10 overs. By the time he was dismissed—caught at long-on off Todd Astle—he’d carried the team to 247/9. The scoreboard looked unassailable. New Zealand’s chase? A formality. Or so everyone thought.

Then came the collapse. New Zealand lost their fifth wicket at 168, needing 80 off 42 balls. The pressure mounted. The West Indian fielders started celebrating. Then, in the 32nd over, Santner—known more for his off-spin than his power-hitting—stepped up. He took the first ball of the 32nd over from Alzarri Joseph and pulled it over deep midwicket for six. The next ball? Another six. Then a four. Then a boundary. He didn’t just hit boundaries—he hit timing. He didn’t just score runs—he changed the game’s DNA in 15 deliveries. Tom Latham (39 off 29) held one end, but it was Santner who turned panic into triumph.

Why This Loss Hurts More Than Most

Hope’s performance was historic, yet it ended in defeat. That’s the cruel irony of cricket. He was named Man of the Match—despite the loss—a rare honor that speaks volumes about his impact. But for West Indies, this loss stings deeper. They’ve now lost two straight ODIs in the three-match series, 2-0, and their ODI form remains erratic. Hope’s brilliance is a beacon, but without consistent support, even the brightest stars can’t light the whole sky.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s win wasn’t just about Santner. It was about depth. They had six players score 20+ runs in this match. Their bowling attack, led by Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, kept the pressure on. And their captain, Kane Williamson, made the bold call to promote Santner—a move that looked desperate until it became genius.

What’s Next for Hope and the West Indies?

Hope’s next challenge? Leading a team that’s still searching for identity. He’s 32, past his prime by some metrics, but his form suggests he’s just hitting his stride. With the 2027 World Cup looming, West Indies need him to be more than a record-breaker—they need him to be a captain who can win. His 19 centuries are a monument. But what they really need is a trophy.

For New Zealand, Santner’s heroics have reignited their campaign. He’s now the most feared finisher in white-ball cricket after this innings. And with his economy rate of 4.2 in ODIs, he’s the perfect all-rounder for modern cricket’s tight finishes.